RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPORTED TIME SPENT IN DIRECT PATIENT CARE AND LEVEL OF JOB SATISFACTION OF SELECTED UNITED STATES AIR FORCE NURSE CORPS OFFICERS.
Contributors: Auburn University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 120
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the relationship between the amount of time spent in direct patient care and the level of job satisfaction differs among Air Force Nurse Corps Officers. Low levels of job satisfaction are observed through high turnover rates, absenteeism, health problems, substance abuse, and on-the-job accidents. In the Air Force system, to be promoted beyond captain or major, a nurse usually must take on a management role. Typically this causes a reduction in the direct patient care given by the nurse.

Questionnaires were sent to 170 randomly selected nurses representing each rank from second lieutenant to colonel. Scores on a measure of job satisfaction were correlated with variables reported on a self-administered demographic data form. Eight variables emerged that were independent of each other and related to job satisfaction: reported number of hours spent in direct patient care, rank, type of basic nursing education, size of facility, rating of work environment, mental health outlook, physical health, and years away from positions of direct patient care. The relationship between these eight variables and satisfaction scores were computed using canonical analysis. These eight variables accounted for approximately one third of the total variance in satisfaction scores: mental health outlook, rating of work environment, type of basic education, and rank were found to be highly related to job satisfaction. Time spent in direct patient care had a negative relationship with job satisfaction.

The more time spent in direct patient care the less satisfied the nurse was with the job. This finding creates a challenge for hospital management and administration. Increasing job satisfaction to improve productivity and the quality and continuity of patient care, nursing administrators should be aware of and sensitive to the needs and stressors impacting the providers of direct patient care. Nurse educators may consider the relationship between job satisfaction and type of basic nursing education, for instance, when developing curricula including clinical experience. Nursing must address the factors that influence the relationship between direct patient care and job satisfaction for its own preservation.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-02, Section: B, page: 0362.

Thesis (ED.D)--AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 1987.

School code: 0012.